What is Recovery?
In physical health, recovery refers
to the process of moving from illness to wellness. Our hurts, habits and
hang-ups are like an illness and using the tools of Celebrate Recovery we
begin to move toward wholeness. Some might say from bondage to freedom in
Christ. Others might say from self-reliance to faith in Christ.
Who started
Celebrate Recovery?
John Baker started Celebrate Recovery with the main
purpose of being able to talk about Jesus Christ as his Higher Power. For the history of Celebrate Recovery see John
Baker's Testimony.
Is Celebrate Recovery for
me?
Celebrate Recovery offers a person
the opportunity to participate in a group fellowship where love and hope
combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives. Ask yourself:
- Are there things in my life that I do that hurt others?
- Is there something I wish I could live without?
- Is it time to crack my denial and admit I am not in control of my life?
- Do I have a painful habit or hang-up from which I need to be freed?
If you answered “yes” to
any of these statements then we urge you to attend a Celebrate Recovery
meeting to see if it is for you.
Check out the Am I
...? page to read about some of the issues that you may be struggling
with..
Does it cost anything to
attend?
Celebrate Recovery does not charge
for this ministry. Free-will offerings are received on Friday evenings.
Our Celebrate Recovery is self-supporting. Workbooks are utilized in
the Step
Studies and are available at the Resource Table on
Friday evenings. Prices for these materials range from $6 - $20.
What is the difference
between AA and Celebrate Recovery?
The principle difference between AA
(and other Twelve Step programs) and Celebrate Recovery is that Celebrate Recovery focuses on Jesus Christ as the true Higher
Power and uses God's Word as the authority in relation to the
Twelve
Steps. The Twelve
Steps have a Christian heritage as they were modeled
after the Oxford Society (see the AA
Story). In order to reach people who would be offended by Jesus or the church, AA
focused on a Higher Power.
But Celebrate Recovery's
8
Principles to the Road to Recovery tie the Twelve
Steps to Jesus Christ's teachings known as the
Beatitudes given in The Sermon on the Mount.
Is Celebrate Recovery
confidential?
Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains
strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust and enables
recovery.
We have a saying that is repeated in every Large Group meeting :
WHO you see here.
WHAT you hear here.
WHEN you leave here.
STAYS HERE.
Hear! Hear!
We are diligent about
confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines/rules protect all of us from judgment
and being “fixed”. In a “safe place” you can take off your
“mask” and be real and honest without fear. You are 100% in control of
when and how much you participate.
Do I have to be a member of Richland
Baptist Church to attend?
No, Celebrate Recovery is a
ministry for anyone who is interested in a Christ centered recovery
program that will enable them to recover from life’s hurts, hang-ups
habits and addictions. There are attendees who are not members and/or do
not attend Richland Baptist Church. You are welcomed by our loving
fellowship of believers to visit with us on Sunday mornings at 10:45
a.m.
What is a Step Study?
The Step Study takes place on a
another night other than Fridays. Ours usually meet on Wednesday nights to
take advantage of child care. Celebrate Recovery uses the Twelve
Steps and its related Scripture as the biblical model for living your
life. A Step Study is a personal journey though each of these steps in a
confidential group lead by a facilitator who has completed a study. We use
Celebrate Recovery's four participants books.
When you finish the study you will have worked your hurts, habits, and
hang-ups through each step. A Step Study is a long-term commitment to the
members of the group. It will typically take 12 months to complete the
study. After completing the Step Study, we hope you will join with us as
we minister to others dealing with their hurts, habits and hang-ups. We do
have guidelines
for the groups that are strictly followed.
Do I have to share?
In the Issue Groups, absolutely not . . . until you are
ready. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you
to become comfortable. In the Step Studies everyone is required to share
as the questions are answered.
What if I can't make it
every week?
You are welcome to come when you can for worship, large group and issue
groups. However if you join a Step Study, you are expected to come each
week until you complete it. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put
into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will gain.
Celebrate Recovery @ Saddleback Community Church
Richland Baptist Church Website
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